That's that from today. With this win, Islamabad United climb to 3rd slot in the points table while Lahore Qalandars are back to where they were a few days ago - Sinking at the bottom of the table. There's a double-header lined up for tomorrow. Do remember to join us then. Cya!!

Watto: Restricting them under 170 is a huge boost for us. Sharjeel Khan was good. He took a bit of pressure off me. There is some power-hitting and there is a lot of talent. Last game was very close but that win gave us the momentum today. It's really excicting to be a part of this tournament.

Azhar Ali: We were 15-20 runs short. The ball came on nicely in the second innings. We didn't field well too. We needed this victory but still a long way to go. We will come back strong in the next game

Sharjeel Khan is the Man of the Match for his 43-ball 79 which included 7 sixes and 5 fours.

Phew! That was some striking. CRASH, BANG, WALLOP, SWAT, SMITE, THRASH, BIFF, BLUDGEON, CLUB, BATTER, PUMMEL, POUND - Put your favourite word and that still won't match the massacre. I'm running out of words. LAHORE QALANDARS WERE SHANE-SHARJEELED - Thought that would be apt. Both struck 79 and punished the bowlers right from the word go. Lahore Qalandars never recovered, dropped catches, bowled candyfloss stuff and were just bystanders of some BANG BANG MUSIC.

15.5

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, SIX, another six and Islamabad United register a resounding win. Touch short and outside off, Sharjeel Khan smashes a flat six over deep mid-wicket, see you tomorrow stuff!

15.4

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, SIX, Sharjeel back in action again. Length delivery in the slot, he sends it BOOOOOOM over the cow corner fence

15.3

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, no run, full and wide, Sharjeel Khan doesn't go chasing after it (assuming it to be a wide), just beside the tramline and the umpire deems it as a legal delivery

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, no run, yorker on the stumps, played back to the bowler

14.5

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, no run, full outside off, Sharjeel Khan slices the drive to backward point

14.4

Dwayne Bravo to A Russell, 1 run, dropped by Azhar Ali! It seems like Lahore Qalandars can't catch one today. Full toss and Russell mistimes the slog high into the air, the fielder from extra cover runs back and fails to hold on

14.3

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, 1 run, goes wide of the crease and bowls a slower full delivery outside off, Sharjeel Khan drives it to point. The fielder makes a sliding stop but hurls an unnecessary throw at the bowler's end. There's no one backing up and the duo cross over for a leg bye

14.2

Dwayne Bravo to A Russell, 1 run, full toss on middle, Russell bashes it through mid-wicket, didn't get all of it

14.1

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, 1 run, too full and wide, muscled down to long-off

13.6

Ehsan Adil to A Russell, no run, off-cutter, length outside off, Russell steers it to point

13.5

Ehsan Adil to A Russell, no run, the big-man has arrived and straightaway he starts whacking, slower short delivery outside off, Russell makes room and toe-ends the pull back to the bowler

Andre Russell, right handed bat, comes to the crease

13.4

Ehsan Adil to Watson, out Caught by Rizwan!! Against the run of play! Watto must have been a tired man, plays a tiresome stroke and perishes. Slower back of a length delivery darted down leg, would have been a wide had Watto missed that. However, he chases and gets a thin bottom edge on the pull, Rizwan dives full length to his left and grabs a one-handed blinder. Watson c Rizwan b Ehsan Adil 79(47) [4s-4 6s-7]

Ehsan Adil to Watson, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

13.3

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, 1 run, very full outside off, Sharjeel Khan nails the drive to the right of long-on

13.2

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, no run, slower length delivery in the slot to be put away, Sharjeel Khan has a big whoosh against it, missed by a country mile

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, wide, fired full and wide of off, Sharjeel Khan needed a fishing rod to fetch that

13.1

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, 2 runs, full toss outside off, Sharjeel Khan slaps the flat-bat lofted drive over a sprinting extra cover, it wasn't a chance but Azhar Ali made a commendable effort to get there

Ehsan Adil [2.0-0-24-0] is back into the attack

12.6

Dwayne Bravo to Watson, no run, Dwayne Bravo is getting the yorkers right now - A little too late Dwayne! Toe-seeking yorker on off, Watson digs it out

Dwayne Bravo to Watson, 1 run, opens the bat face and angles this back of a length down to third man

12.1

Dwayne Bravo to Watson, no run, very full and dipping in on leg, Watson comes forward but ends up yorking himself

Dwayne Bravo [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack

11.6

K Cooper to Watson, 1 run, chopped away in front of point for a single

11.5

K Cooper to Watson, SIX, can someone stop Watto please! He seems to be in a hurry here. Sees the length delivery and cannons it flat over the long-on fence

11.4

K Cooper to Watson, SIX, Oh no! Don't go to Sharjah now if you're a bowler. Length delivery just outside off, Watson mows it over the long-off fence

11.3

K Cooper to Watson, FOUR, Zohaib Khan drops a sitter! Watson whacks this but it was a mis-hit, straight towards long-on where the fielder makes a mess of it - Allowed the ball to burst through and to aggravate matters it scurries through to the fence

K Cooper to Sharjeel Khan, wide, slower full toss down leg, Sharjeel Khan lets it be

11.1

K Cooper to Sharjeel Khan, SIX, it's raining sixes in Sharjah, fullish length delivery around off - Sharjeel Khan keeps his eyes on the ball and launches it over the wide long-on fence

Kevon Cooper [1.0-0-4-0] is back into the attack

It has been a great start by Islamabad United - They now need 48 from 54 with a bag full of wickets. Must be a stroll in the park

10.6

Zohaib Khan to Watson, SIX, Watto is toying with the bowlers - Oh! Jeez! Please spare a thought for the bowlers. Nothing wrong with the delivery, tossed up around middle, Watto steadies himself and smokes it back over the bowler's head. Seems like he cannot mishit a ball at the moment

10.5

Zohaib Khan to Sharjeel Khan, 1 run, flat and full just outside off, pushed to long-off

10.5

Zohaib Khan to Sharjeel Khan, wide, fired well down leg, Sharjeel Khan shuffles around the crease and lets it go

10.4

Zohaib Khan to Sharjeel Khan, FOUR, drifting in on middle and Sharjeel Khan murders the pull over mid-wicket for a one-bounce four, raises his bat to acknowledge the fifty

10.3

Zohaib Khan to Sharjeel Khan, SIX, low full toss outside off, Sharjeel Khan makes room and crouches low, muscles the slog on the full over the deep extra cover fence

10.2

Zohaib Khan to Watson, 1 run, driven to long-off

10.1

Zohaib Khan to Watson, SIX, "That's clean as a whistle" lauds Rameez Raza on air. It's an action replay of the previous over first ball, just that it went straight down the ground. Fifty for Watto

9.6

A Mendis to Sharjeel Khan, FOUR, no stopping this, full and in the slot, Sharjeel Khan goes down on his knees and times the slog-sweep to perfection, raced away through mid-wicket

9.5

A Mendis to Sharjeel Khan, 2 runs, quicker and fuller, on middle, Khan heaves it to deep mid-wicket, the fielder does well to get there quickly and he slides the ball back in air-borne

A Mendis to Sharjeel Khan, leg byes, 1 run, down leg, Sharjeel Khan fails to flick it away, manages to squeeze a single as the ball rolls off the thigh pad

9.2

A Mendis to Watson, 1 run, drifting in from a fullish length, knocked down to long-off

9.1

A Mendis to Watson, SIX, clubbed down over the long-off fence. Tossed up outside off, Watson kneels down and smashes it powerfully

8.6

Zohaib Khan to Sharjeel Khan, no run, low full toss on middle, driven back at the bowler

8.5

Zohaib Khan to Sharjeel Khan, no run, very full around off, Sharjeel Khan squeezes it to the right of the bowler

8.4

Zohaib Khan to Watson, 1 run, dipping full toss in the blockhole, Watson comes forward and across to biff it to long-off

8.3

Zohaib Khan to Watson, no run, floated just outside off, Watson allows the ball to dip and then drills it to cover

8.2

Zohaib Khan to Watson, no run, pushed through, outside off, driven to point

8.1

Zohaib Khan to Watson, FOUR, full toss - That's easy peasy for Watson who bends low and shovels it to the fine leg fence

Zohaib Khan, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

7.6

A Mendis to Watson, 1 run, flat and wide, Watson flat-bats the drive to long-off

7.5

A Mendis to Sharjeel Khan, 1 run, quicker and around the fifth stump channel, punched to long-off

7.4

A Mendis to Watson, 1 run, nudged away through mid-wicket

7.3

A Mendis to Watson, FOUR, that may have been a wide but Watson doesn't let it go. Spinning down leg and Watto helps it with a wild heave behind square, raced away!

7.2

A Mendis to Watson, 2 runs, short and flat outside off, Watson sits on the back foot and cuts square of the wicket

7.1

A Mendis to Watson, no run, tossed up on off, punched straight to cover

Ajantha Mendis, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack

6.6

Z Gohar to Watson, 1 run, yet again, goes hard against a flatter delivery outside off, toe-ends it past a diving bowler, single down to long-off

6.5

Z Gohar to Watson, no run, slashed away but finds point

6.4

Z Gohar to Watson, no run, this flighted delivery spun away and Watson misses on the sweep, Rizwan was quick to dislodge the bails but Watto got back in time

TV umpire pressed into the action: Watto is the man in question - asking for a stumping chance. It's a legal delivery and seems like Watson has dragged his foot back in time. NOT OUT should be the call and it is..

6.3

Z Gohar to Watson, SIX, "OUT OF THE STADIUM." Tossed up on middle and leg, Watson drops to one knee and slog-sweeps it for a 104-metre six in front of square on the leg-side. This six, by the way, is the longest of the tournament

6.2

Z Gohar to Watson, no run, floater on off, driven back to the bowler

6.1

Z Gohar to Watson, no run, arm-ball on middle, Watson looks to sweep but ends up dragging it off the inside half

5.6

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, no run, good length just outside off, Sharjeel Khan chops it around the crease. Bravo walks to the other end and pats Sharjeel Khan on his shoulder. Guess what he might have said: "You lucky fella, edges are flowing, what is your bat made of?" - Just guess work...

5.5

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, no run, stroked towards mid-on

5.4

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, FOUR, Bravo can't believe it! Holds his head in disbelief. Full and at leg-stump, Sharjeel Khan gets an inside edge on the flick, the ball skims past the timber and races away to the fine leg fence

5.3

Dwayne Bravo to Watson, 1 run, off-cutter speared around off, Watto goes for a cross-batted slog through mid-wicket, only a single available

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, no run, slower back of a length delivery on middle, Sharjeel Khan misses on the flick and is rapped on the pads - BUT THAT PITCHED OUTSIDE LEG and Dwayne Bravo's appeal isn't obliged

Dwayne Bravo [1.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack

4.6

Z Gohar to Watson, no run, dragged down on middle, Watson rocks back to pull, mis-hit - Off the toe of the bat towards mid-on

4.5

Z Gohar to Watson, SIX, that's straight into the stands. Short delivery asking to be whacked, Watson steadies himself and sends it soaring over the cow corner fence, 50-up already!

4.4

Z Gohar to Sharjeel Khan, 1 run, eased down to long-on

4.3

Z Gohar to Sharjeel Khan, no run, drifting in on middle and leg, Sharjeel Khan looks to pull but was beaten by the flight, hits him on the thigh pad

4.2

Z Gohar to Watson, 1 run, quicker on the stumps, Watson hoicks it to deep mid-wicket

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, SIX, are you kidding me! What was that? 20 runs off the over and Ehsan Adil is having a nightmare with the ball. Serves up another length delivery on the stumps and Sharjeel Khan bludgeons it back over the bowler's head for a gun-barrels straight six. Stand and admire stuff!

3.5

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, FOUR, asking for more trouble, slipping down leg and Sharjeel Khan flicks nonchalantly, scorched off the turf and finds the fine leg fence

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, FOUR, M-A-G-N-I-F-I-C-E-N-T. Fetch that! Oh! What a talent! Good length on middle stump line and Sharjeel Khan thumps it over mid-on, just a biff and way she goes into the fence

3.2

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, SIX, "That is going to the supermarket" yelps Alan Wilkins on air. Jeez! Whaaataay shot that is. It made such a lovely sound as it flew off the bat. Fraction short and on leg-stump line, Sharjeel Khan whips it effortlessly for a 102-metre six over backward square. The ball just disappeared and now we need a new ball for the game to resume - Out comes the fourth umpire with his suitcase - Aleem Dar examines, examines, examines and finally picks a new-old ball. Right then! We are ready to go again. THREE, TWO, ONE... Let's start

3.1

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, no run, low full toss on the stumps, Sharjeel Khan hits hard but mistimes it towards mid-on

2.6

K Cooper to Sharjeel Khan, 1 run, full and on middle and leg, clipped behind square on the leg-side

2.5

K Cooper to Watson, 1 run, dropped by Delport! Short ball angled in, hurried Watto into the pull stroke, he gets a thick top-edge, the fielder from mid-wicket and square leg converge. In the end, Delport allows the ball to sneak through, he didn't even get a hand to it - Might have been distracted by the square leg fielder

K Cooper to Watson, no run, short and wide, Watson cuts fiercely, but straight to backward point

2.2

K Cooper to Watson, leg byes, 2 runs, another leg-sidish delivery and this time Watto misses on the flick, the ball dribbles to fine leg off the thigh pad

2.1

K Cooper to Watson, 2 runs, length delivery angled in on the pads, Watson clips to the left of fine leg, another double added to the total

Kevon Cooper, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

1.6

Ehsan Adil to Watson, 1 run, Watson drives to mid-on and keeps strike

1.5

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, 1 run, sliding down leg, Sharjeel Khan helps it with a tickle down to fine leg

There seems to be some issue with the bowler's landing area. Umpire Aleem Dar seeks some sawdust and the groundsmen rush in to do the necessary. All set for the action to resume...

1.5

Ehsan Adil to Sharjeel Khan, wide, errs in line this time, tries to keep it a bit too straight and ends up spraying a wide down leg

1.4

Ehsan Adil to Watson, 1 run, full and on the pads, flicked to deep mid-wicket

1.3

Ehsan Adil to Watson, no run, chopped to point

1.2

Ehsan Adil to Watson, no run, wooo! That one took off, from a length and swung away, bounced viciously too, Watson was trying to cut square but was beaten all ends up. Ehsan Adil shares a wry smile with Watto

1.1

Ehsan Adil to Watson, no run, good length on off, pushed back to the bowler

Ehsan Adil, right-arm fast, comes into the attack

0.6

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, SIX, Islamabad United are off to a blazing start. Length delivery around off, Sharjeel Khan stays solid at the crease and wallops it over the wide long-on fence

0.6

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, wide, sprayed down leg and Sharjeel Khan misses out on the tickle

0.5

Dwayne Bravo to Sharjeel Khan, no run, good length just outside off, Sharjeel Khan taps with soft hands to the right of the bowler

Dwayne Bravo to Watson, 2 runs, poor from Lahore Qalandars. Watson flicked this through square leg and it should've been a single. Rizwan flings a needless throw at the bowler's end and Bravo wasn't backing up - Allowing a run on the overthrow

0.1

Dwayne Bravo to Watson, FOUR, Watson is off and running with a boundary. Outswinger with written all over it, Watson late-cuts with precise timing, pierced backward point and short third man

Watson and Sharjeel Khan are at the crease. Watson is on strike. Dwayne Bravo will open the attack

Welcome back! The players are out in the middle. Dwayne Bravo will start. One slip in place....

Shane Watson congratulate his bowlers as they walk off the field - So, that's quite an indictaion that Islamabad United have done well with the ball. They didn't allow any batsman to settle in right from the start and had it not been for Rizwan's 27-ball 50 cameo, Lahore Qalandars would have been struggling. The ball is coming on nicely and it should be an interesting chase. Join us in about 15 minutes...

Rumman Raees to Zohaib Khan, 2 runs, full and at leg-stump, thumped wide of long-on and good running does the rest

Zohaib Khan, right handed bat, comes to the crease

19.4

Rumman Raees to K Cooper, out Caught&Bowled!! That went high into the dark sky and Tom Moody on air couldn't resist himself from saying this "It has taken a month's time to come down." Slower length delivery in the slot, Cooper heaves and mistimes it completely. Got the elevation but not the distance. The ball swirls high towards mid-wicket and Raees settles under it sans any discomfort. K Cooper c and b Rumman Raees 0(1)

Rumman Raees to K Cooper, THAT'S OUT!! Caught&Bowled!!

19.3

Rumman Raees to Rizwan, 1 run, well played Mohammad Rizwan! Slower full delivery on middle and leg, Rizwan gets a top-edge as he tries to scoop this over the keeper, nevertheless gets to his fifty

19.2

Rumman Raees to Rizwan, SIX, length delivery begging to be hit, Rizwan dismisses it out of his sight with a picture-perfect flick over square leg

19.1

Rumman Raees to Rizwan, no run, excellent start, yorker right in the blockhole, Rizwan manages to keep it out

Rumman Raees [3.0-0-27-0] is back into the attack

18.6

A Russell to Rizwan, 1 run, misses the yorker and dishes out a low full toss on the stumps, drilled down to long-on

18.5

A Russell to Rizwan, SIX, short and murdered! Russell isn't learning, bowls a short delivery at a comfortable height and Rizwan sends the pull over the deep backward square fence

Kevon Cooper, right handed bat, comes to the crease

18.4

A Russell to Rizwan, out Dwayne Bravo Run Out!! YES...NO...YES..NO.. AND GONE. Rizwan drove this full delivery to extra cover, there was a slight confusion in the middle. Rizwan took a few steps down the track and Bravo was commited to the single. Rizwan chirps a late, loud no but Ghulam hits the bulls-eye at the bowler's end. Bravo wasn't even in the frame. He looks disappointed as he trudges off. Dwayne Bravo run out (Kamran Ghulam) 26(17) [4s-3]

A Russell to Rizwan, THAT'S OUT!! Run Out!!

18.3

A Russell to Rizwan, FOUR, short at gentle pacy and Rizwan makes him pay for that. Swivels and pulls with utter disdain over square leg

A Russell to Rizwan, 1 run, off-cutter on off, from a fuller length, Rizwan drives to extra cover

Andre Russell [3.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack

17.6

Sami to Dwayne Bravo, 2 runs, angled in on the stumps, Bravo flicks through mid-wicket for a duo of runs

17.5

Sami to Dwayne Bravo, no run, this was just beside the tramline, outside off, Bravo looks to fetch but couldn't get bat on ball

17.4

Sami to Dwayne Bravo, no run, backs away slightly and tries to upset the rhythm of the bowler, Sami isn't intimidated though - Keeps it on a good length in the corridor of uncertainty, Bravo flashes and misses

17.3

Sami to Rizwan, 1 run, hurled into the pads, good length, Rizwan tucks to square leg

Rumman Raees to Rizwan, FOUR, it's raining boundaries in Sharjah! Improvisation at its very best. Slower fullish delivery outside off, Rizwan walks across and gets down on one knee to stroke a DILSCOOP over the keeper

16.2

Rumman Raees to Rizwan, FOUR, the ball has changed but the result hasn't. Let me tell you, this man has got some beautiful wrists. Width on offer and he pounces on it, opens the bat face late and twirls his wrists to send it past backward point

16.1

Rumman Raees to Rizwan, SIX, whew! That made a crunching sound. Full and on the stumps, Rizwan stoops low and wristily flicks over the deep square leg fence. That went out of the ground indeed. NEW BALL PLEASE?

Rumman Raees [2.0-0-10-0] is back into the attack

15.6

Ajmal to Rizwan, 1 run, clipped away off the pads to square leg

15.5

Ajmal to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, another one worked through square leg

15.4

Ajmal to Dwayne Bravo, 2 runs, good cricket this from Dwayne Bravo, just wrists the ball past square leg and sprints for a desperate double

15.3

Ajmal to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, another misfield from Billings! This time he got a bad bounce though, fuller and angled in, Bravo hoicks it over mid-on, Billings slides from long-on but was taken aback by bad bounce

15.2

Ajmal to Dwayne Bravo, 2 runs, drifting in and dipped just in front of Bravo's toes, he whips to deep backward square, a wild throw from the fielder ensures that the duo take an overthrow

15.1

Ajmal to Rizwan, 1 run, flighted at 81ks, just outside off, Rizwan leans on the back foot to cut that through cover

Saeed Ajmal [3.0-0-15-1] is back into the attack

14.6

A Russell to Rizwan, 1 run, short and didn't rise much, Rizwan pulls along the ground through mid-wicket

14.5

A Russell to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, opened the bat face and steered it to third man

14.4

A Russell to Rizwan, 1 run, ample width on offer, Rizwan late-cuts to third man

14.3

A Russell to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, in the air and safe! Fuller and slinging in around off, Bravo lofts it off the toe end and it goes on the bounce to Sami at long-on

14.2

A Russell to Dwayne Bravo, no run, on a length, around middle and leg, Bravo rises on his toes to block that

14.1

A Russell to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, back of a length drifting down leg, Bravo whips it to the left of fine leg, the fielder had no chance there, sublime timing!

Andre Russell [2.0-0-13-0] is back into the attack

13.6

Kamran Ghulam to Rizwan, FOUR, candyfloss and Rizwan puts it away! Full toss on the stumps, Rizwan jumps down the track and dispatches it between deep square and deep mid-wicket

13.5

Kamran Ghulam to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, slider on leg-stump, Bravo wrists it square on the leg-side and calls for a second, sent back

13.4

Kamran Ghulam to Rizwan, 1 run, fired full outside off, Rizwan walks forward and across to drive this to long-off

13.3

Kamran Ghulam to Rizwan, no run, quicker and just outside off, Rizwan drills it hard but cannot get it past cover

13.2

Kamran Ghulam to Rizwan, no run, slower through the air, pushed to cover

13.1

Kamran Ghulam to Rizwan, no run, floated up and spun away a bit, Rizwan was late on the cut and missed

Kamran Ghulam, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

12.6

Imran Khalid to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, misfield and four! Short and just outside off, Bravo lofts it wide of extra cover and Billings from long-off overran from long-off, he got to the ball quickly but slipped before sliding

12.5

Imran Khalid to Rizwan, 1 run, steps out, gets to the pitch of the delivery and drives to long-off

12.4

Imran Khalid to Rizwan, no run, flights this one around middle and leg, driven back to the bowler

Mohammad Rizwan, right handed bat, comes to the crease

12.3

Imran Khalid to U Akmal, out Lbw!! Khalid gets his man. This time he gets the nod from the umpire. Flatter and holding up a little on the pitch, Akmal was lured by the length. He wanted to pull it over square leg, misses the line of the delivery completely and is hit on the back pad. That was hitting leg-stump. U Akmal lbw b Imran Khalid 23(23) [6s-2]

Imran Khalid to U Akmal, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

12.2

Imran Khalid to U Akmal, no run, looped up and turned away just outside off, Akmal crouches low and chops it to backward point

Ajmal to U Akmal, no run, quick again, 92.5kph, full and just outside off, Akmal drives but finds mid-off

11.5

Ajmal to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, quicker on middle, whipped away off the pads through mid-wicket

Dwayne Bravo, right handed bat, comes to the crease

A slip in place for Bravo...

11.4

Ajmal to Naved Yasin, out Caught by Haddin!! Nicked and gone! Yasin was struggling and Ajmal brings an end to his scratchy knock. Dropped it a bit short and the ball spun away late, Yasin was trying to cut off the back foot. Could only manage a thin edge which settles in the safe hands of Haddin behind the stumps. Naved Yasin c Haddin b Ajmal 25(28) [4s-2 6s-1]

Ajmal to Naved Yasin, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

11.3

Ajmal to Naved Yasin, no run, shortish just outside off, punched to point

11.2

Ajmal to U Akmal, 1 run, late-cut to short third man

11.1

Ajmal to U Akmal, SIX, that's outta here! This was flighted and dipped right in front of Akmal who smokes it into the stands over mid-wicket for a 100-plus metre six

10.6

Rumman Raees to Naved Yasin, no run, pitched up and asking to be driven, Yasin obliges but strokes it straight to the fieldsman at extra cover

Ajmal to U Akmal, no run, on and around off again, Akmal defends right under his eyes

7.1

Ajmal to U Akmal, no run, floater around off, Akmal leans forward to push it to the off-side

Saeed Ajmal, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

6.6

Imran Khalid to U Akmal, 1 run, tickled away towards short fine

6.5

Imran Khalid to U Akmal, no run, that's closeeeee but NOT OUT is the call from umpire Joel S Wilson. Replays show it was crashing into leg-stump. Akmal must consider himself lucky there. This was tossed up and spun away late, Akmal looks to defend off the front foot and was beaten by the late turn. He was struck around the knee-roll and looked really closed to the naked eye. The bowler and the keeper appeal in unison but the umpira yelps "nooooooo"

6.4

Imran Khalid to U Akmal, no run, fraction short just outside off, Akmal cuts but picks out point

6.4

Imran Khalid to U Akmal, 5 wides, slider down leg, Haddin was late to move to his left as Akmal missed on the flick, the ball scorches off the surface and races away to the fine leg fence

Imran Khalid to Naved Yasin, wide, spinning down leg, Yasin lets it be. Haddin appeals for a stumping check and umpire Aleem Dar has decided to go upstairs. No problem with the front foot. Does Yasin foot come up? No, not at all. He lost the balance, just momentarily and NOT OUT is the verdict

6.2

Imran Khalid to U Akmal, 1 run, pushed through quciker outside off, Akmal drives with the full face of the bat through cover

Sami to Azhar Ali, out Lbw!! PLUMBAAAAAAH - That looked plumb to me. In fact replays show it was clipping leg. Sami has got two wickets with two good length deliveries - So that might be the ideal length to bowl on this surface. Good length delivery tailed in slightly and slammed Ali right in front as he missed the flick. Sami screams "HOWZAAAAT" and up goes the finger. Azhar Ali lbw b Sami 27(18) [4s-5]

Sami to Azhar Ali, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

5.5

Sami to Azhar Ali, FOUR, pitched up and in the slot, Ali sits on his back knee and clatters it over mid-on, couple of bounces and into the fence

5.4

Sami to Azhar Ali, 2 runs, length delivery on the stumps, Ali hoicks it through mid-wicket and Sam Billings makes a good sliding stop in the deep, he fumbles for a fleeting movement but the batsmen don't risk a third run

5.3

Sami to Azhar Ali, no run, short of length that holds it line outside off, Ali attempts an ugly poke and is beaten again

5.2

Sami to Azhar Ali, no run, back of a length around sixth stump line, Ali backs away and tries to smack it over the ring fielders on the off-side, could only meet with thin air

5.1

Sami to Azhar Ali, FOUR, drifting down leg from a fuller length, Ali flicks and it races away like a tracer bullet - RAVI SHAZ CLICHE

Mohammad Sami [1.0-0-4-1] is back into the attack

4.6

A Russell to Naved Yasin, no run, good length outside off, Yasin blocks from the crease

4.5

A Russell to Naved Yasin, 2 runs, full on the stumps, flicked away through mid-wicket

4.4

A Russell to Naved Yasin, no run, another one blocked towards point

4.3

A Russell to Naved Yasin, no run, short of length just outside off, Yasin defends with an open bat face towards point

4.2

A Russell to Naved Yasin, SIX, wallop! Full delivery there to be hit and Yasin smashes it nonchalantly, right off the screws and straight into the stands at long-off

4.1

A Russell to Naved Yasin, no run, dug in short at the batsman, Yasin hunkers under it

Andre Russell [1.0-0-5-0] is back into the attack

3.6

Rumman Raees to Azhar Ali, no run, full delivery on off, Ali drives crisply to mid-on and sets off for a quick single, his partner was never interested though. Russell fumbled and that prompted Ali to go for the single, He was nearly half-way down the track when Naved Yasin sent him back. Russell gets to the ball quickly and flings a direct-hit at the striker's end but Ali made it in, he dragged his bat and that might have saved him there

TV umpire called for run-out check. Azhar Ali is the man in question. He looks safe and TV UMP. confirms the same. NOT OUT it is...

3.5

Rumman Raees to Naved Yasin, 1 run, slower length delivery just outside off, Yasin goes for a leg-side whack and gets an inside edge that races away to short fine

3.4

Rumman Raees to Naved Yasin, no run, good length on the stumps, defended gently

3.3

Rumman Raees to Azhar Ali, 1 run, short and outside off, got big on Ali who was hurried by the pace of the delivery, manages to flat-bat the pull towards mid-off

3.2

Rumman Raees to Naved Yasin, leg byes, 1 run, good length on middle and leg, Yasin fails to flick and wears it on the pads, the duo nab a leg bye as the ball rolls away towards the unmanned mid-wicket region

3.1

Rumman Raees to Azhar Ali, 1 run, angled away from a good length, well outside off, Ali flashes and gets a soft outside edge which dribbles away down towards third man

Rumman Raees, left-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

2.6

Sami to Naved Yasin, no run, back of a length curled away slightly in the corridor of uncertainty, Yasin was trying to whip it through square leg, fails to make any contact

2.5

Sami to Naved Yasin, no run, fullish and outside off, Yasin punches it to the right of cover who moves across to field

2.4

Sami to Naved Yasin, no run, back of a length around off, Yasin hops inside the crease and pushes it towards mid-off

2.3

Sami to Naved Yasin, FOUR, length delivery sat up nicely for Yasin, he punches square on the off-side beating the dive from backward point, off the mark in style

2.2

Sami to Naved Yasin, no run, good length just outside off, Yasin taps it to the right of backward point, the fielder dives and makes a commendable stop

Naved Yasin, left handed bat, comes to the crease

2.1

Sami to Delport, out Bowled!! Knocked 'em over!! First ball from Sami and he hits the first nail in the opposition coffin. On a good length and nipped away very slightly, Delport was playing a rash shot through the leg-side. There was plenty of bat-pad gap as he played with laden feet, the ball shapes away to kiss the middle pole. Delport b Sami 3(4)

Sami to Delport, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

Mohammad Sami, right-arm fast, comes into the attack

1.6

Watson to Delport, 1 run, too full and wide of off, Delport lets the ball dip and pushes it towards cover to sneak in a quick single, retains the strike with that run

1.6

Watson to Delport, wide, short and way too short for Delport, he ducks and wide called for height

1.5

Watson to Azhar Ali, 1 run, just short of a good length around off, Ali chops it towards backward point

1.4

Watson to Azhar Ali, FOUR, dismissive stuff from Azhar Ali! Takes a couple of steps and makes room, sees the length ball and thrashes it past cover for a picture-perfect boundary

1.3

Watson to Azhar Ali, 2 runs, short of length around fifth stump, Ali walks across and clips off his hip behind square on the leg-side

1.2

Watson to Azhar Ali, FOUR, fuller and straying on the pads, all Ali needed to do was to get some bat on that - He tickles and manages a four through short fine

1.1

Watson to Delport, 1 run, plenty of width on offer from Watto, Delport throws the kicthen sink at it, slashed behind backward point for a single

Shane Watson, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

0.6

A Russell to Azhar Ali, no run, keeps it tight around off-stump, Ali dabs to cover with soft hands

0.5

A Russell to Azhar Ali, FOUR, another pacy delivery, but this time its pitched up and Ali gets some bat on the nudge, the edge flies wide of the keeper and towards the third man fence, first boundary off the match

0.4

A Russell to Azhar Ali, no run, wooof! That's pacy. Bouncer just outside off, Ali was taken aback by the pace and jussssst manages to duck under it

0.3

A Russell to Azhar Ali, no run, fullish and just outside off, Ali push-drives it down the track

0.2

A Russell to Delport, 1 run, another one directed towards leg-stump, Delport flicks to square leg and hustles for a quick single

0.1

A Russell to Azhar Ali, leg byes, 1 run, poor first ball from Russell, short and slipping down leg, Ali misses out on the flick and the ball runs off the thigh pad towards fine leg

Azhar Ali and Delport are at the crease. Azhar Ali is on strike. A Russell will open the attack

Right then! We are all set for the live action to begin. The players are out in the middle under dazzling Sharjah lights. Andre Russell will kick-off the proceedings. Azhar Ali will take strike. One slip in place...

Cripes! Not a good news if you are an Islamabad United fan: Misbah-ul-Haq, who hurt his calf in the last game, won't be playing today. Shane Watson will captain the side. Still no Chris Gayle for Lahore Qalandars - "He is yet to recover fully" bemoans Skipper Azhar Ali at the toss.

CRASH-BANG-WALLOP - That was Umar Akmal's mantra in the last game. Jeez! That was one heck of a hitting I can tell you. He not only played a gem of a knock, but helped his team to get off the mark in the tournament. On the other hand, Islamabad United clinched a nail-biting contest in their last game courtesy a magical spell from the mystery spinner Saeed Ajmal. So, both teams just found momentum and are eager to cement a spot for the next stage. On that note, hello and a very warm welcome to the Sharjah leg of the tournament. Toss and team news coming your way. Be with us...